ast night's AFL-CIO Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate in Chicago made for electrifying television. Famed "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann clearly relished his role. Hillary Clinton's blouse was modest, but I still saw a bit more neck than I thought appropriate. For those of you who missed it, it all went down something like this:

OBAMA: I thought we were friends, Chris. But you voted to get us into Iraq, and now I'm being ridiculed for wanting to take the fight to the right battlefield?! Remember, I did not vote for this war. I said no to the Iraq war. Bad idea, that's what I said.

CLINTON: I love audience members, and I love audience members who ask questions. Is that a new Teamster tee? Fabulous. You all look great. What are you doing after? By the way, I'll sign the Employee Free Choice Act.

IMMIGRANT: I just became an American citizen. What are you going to do about undocumented workers in the U.S.?

OBAMA: It's your first vote! That's so cool. Oh dude, totally make me your first vote. That would be sweeeet. We are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. By the way, I love unions! Illinois labor is all me. Yay unions!

NURSE: The health care system in this country is a total goddam disgrace.

BIDEN: If there are angels in Heaven, they're nurses. But enough about health care. Unions rule! I have walked my share of picket lines!! Nobody has a better record of walking than me. I did picket lines the whole time I was in the Senate. Picketing is just, like, a no-brainer, man. And I did it first.

KUCINICH: Universal health care for everyone!!

EDWARDS: 200 pickets, people! 200!! I picketed on Saturday. Hell, I picketed on Sunday. Everyone here knows it. Everyone knows that I am the labor guy here. No scab can break the line! That's what I always say. No scab breaks the line! That's the America I believe in. 200 pickets!!

OLBERMANN: Aren't you from a right-to-work state, Senator Edwards?

EDWARDS: Er, I guess. The point is: If the union was a person, I would kneel down and wash its toes with my tongue! And I know all the words to "Coal Miner's Daughter."

BIDEN: I washed Union's toes with my tongue first.

UNION MEMBER: How will you be energy-efficient?

DODD: I'd like to talk about health care.

TEACHER: How do you feel about No Child Left Behind?

CLINTON: A child is not a walking test. A child is a biological entity that requires a village and maybe some private tutors and great extracurriculars.

OLBERMANN: Moving on...You've waited all night, ladies and gentlemen, and I am now happy to present the Lightening Round! Double points for all correct answers. Also, the judges are telling me that it is still mathematically possible for Senator Dodd to win--if he answers all the questions right and everyone else gets at least one wrong. Ready?!

RICHARDSON: My veep would not be Cheney. It would be someone up here on stage....And his first name begins with a B and his last name starts with Obama.

CLINTON: I may take money from lobbyists, but in truth I hate them. I hate lobbyists, and I love unions! People at the union call me "sister."

OBAMA: I fight for you, not the check writers! Unless you are the check writers. I fight for the people who give me checks and who are also not lobbyists....And Barry Bonds may or may not be welcome at the White House.

Sacha Zimmerman writes "Inner Tube" for TNR Online and is the author of For America: Simple Things Each of Us Can Do To Make The Country Better.

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noa

08-09-2007, 11:57 AM

Very funny stuff. Good find chagrin!

ChiefaRoo

08-09-2007, 02:53 PM

Our whole system is turning nuts. Two year campaigns and debates that neither ask penetrating questions nor produces detailed information.

noa

08-09-2007, 03:15 PM

Our whole system is turning nuts. Two year campaigns and debates that neither ask penetrating questions nor produces detailed information.

I bet the two candidates who get the nominations end up spending about $500 million each.

banyon

08-09-2007, 03:42 PM

The Dems' corporate sellout of labor is why I can't support most of their candidates.

ChiefaRoo

08-09-2007, 04:06 PM

It's over already. Hillary will get the nominaton unless she has a Howard Dean self inflicted meltdown which I doubt. Obama will be the VP unless he keeps pissing her off. I have spoken.

BucEyedPea

08-09-2007, 04:13 PM

It's over already. Hillary will get the nominaton unless she has a Howard Dean self inflicted meltdown which I doubt. Obama will be the VP unless he keeps pissing her off. I have spoken.
I don't think she'd pick someone who could overshadow her.

He's better off in the Senate for his constituents right now, if she gets it, imo.

ChiefaRoo

08-09-2007, 04:15 PM

I don't think she'd pick someone who could overshadow her.

He's better off in the Senate for his constituents right now, if she gets it, imo.

Maybe, but I think he'll fall in line and bide his time. I can't stand either one of them.

Chief Henry

08-09-2007, 04:19 PM

THat was was funny stuff. Give me a beer right NOW.

alanm

08-09-2007, 10:43 PM

The Dems' corporate sellout of labor is why I can't support most of their candidates.
My list is slightly longer than yours. :D